Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-07
A PALACE FOR THE X. OF L.
Sumptuous Quarters for the Ofhcers
of Labors Organizations.
Fronl ne PhiIadelpAia Press.

from the Philadelphia Press.
The magnifcence of the knights OF
Labor new headquarters on North Broad
street, this city, is exciting wide COM
ment among the members OF the great or
ganization all over the country. Dele
cations from distant cities who have
visited the new establishment express
their astonishment at its grandeur and
elegance. Most OF the Knights in Phila-
delphia, at least those who have entered
the new headquarters, are proud and yet
surprised at the character Of the place;
proud that their order can boast owner
ship OF it and is able TO provide such
quarters tor its general officers. and sur
prised that an organization OF working
men, entertaining principles OF the
plainest and most practical sort lmagin-
able, should give cOuntenance to luxury
and extravagance by fitting up its cen
trail Office on the style of the North Broad
street estaolis ifment. The building, with
it's brown stone front, its elegant furnish
ings, equipments and conveniences, has
already been described IN detail by the
Press. How its floors are covered with
sumptuous rugs and Wilton and Brussels
carpets, how Its stairways are built with
heavy wooden balusters, its halls lighted
from windows of stained glass, Its rooms
adorned with plush furniture, frescoed
walls, lnlaid marble ma1tels, large plate
mirrors and fine lace curtains. All IN Sc
points have been noted, and humble
Knights of Labor have gazed on them
with wonder and delight.
This week a delegation from Newark,
n. j., consisting of Nessrs. FreiI ana
OCOnnor, representing the Essex Trades
Assembly. came to this city to have an
interview with General Master Workman
Powderly for the purpose OF urging MIN
TO interpose his authority and stop the
conflict between the knights of Labor
and the International Cigar Makers
Union, They did not see Mr.. Powderly.
as he was not in the city, but when they
went away they carried with them great
news for their friends about the wonders
they had seen at the new headquarters,
They had made an inspection of the in
terror, and, instead of finding themselves
in q plain business office, they were
ushered into a magnifcently furnished
brown-stone house, where, as one of them
expressed it, they "waded up TO their
knees in velvet carpet"
The report was unique and startling to
their comrades. "Why, everything about
the place was simply immense" said
they. dozens and dozens of clerks,
mostly women, were sitting at polished
desks, and they didn't seem to have any
thing else to do than to look around them.
Electric bells, fine carpets and rugs, and
mirrors and chandeliers and all the rest
OF 1t compelled US to believe that we were
in Vanderbilt's mansion"
Opinion here among the Knights in
some quarters is similar, but for the most
part the members Of the order are, as
stated above, gratified at the purchase OF
the North Broad street property for gen.
eral headquarters. The majority may be
said to be pleased with the new establish
ment. Said well-informed knight yes
terday to representative Of the Press:
This week l made tour of the local
assemblies in this city for the purpose OF
soliciting contributions for the locked
out garment cutters, and In nearly every
assembly visited found that the mem-
bers were satisfied with the selection OF
new headquarters made by the General
Executive Board. There were some in
dlvidual members, though, who did not
look on it favorably, but they are merely
individuals, and, of course, do not ex-
press the general sentiment.
One of these individuals stated his
views in this way: ~ think the board
made big mistake in buying that fine
house on North Broad street for $45, 900.
1t may be all very well for people to say
that big order like ours should have
general offices fitted up in a style that will
enforce respect for US from the outside
world, but that isn't the proper way to
look at it. The order is unquestionably
in bad financial condition and more
economy should have been used in making
the purchase. ALI those luxurious FUR
nishings benefit merely the general Off
GERS, and it is selfish in them to look out
only for their own ease and comfort
while thousands of our memb ers in
different parts OF the country are
suffering from want. DON'T it
strike you as inconsistent on the
part Of the General Board that only few
weeks ago they issued a secret circular
requiring special assessment of twenty
i've cents from each member of the
organization, and have just squandered
$4,000 in fine house? If you 20 into
the offices of any OF the wealthiest bank
ing houses or business firms in the city,
you won't find such elegant surround
lngs as you will see in the headquarters
OF the knights Of Labor. Go into the
general Offices of the Pennsylvania rail-
road, for instance, and everything there
you will find plain, practical and bust
ness-like. But up at the North Broad street
place you tramp on thick velvet carpets,
you see plate mirrors and statues on
every hand, and you Sit on soft sofas and
cushioned aTm-chairs. All this is wrung
from the hard-earned wages OF the labor
ing men, and it isn't right"